Abigail is a fantastic illustrator and wonderful to work with as well. She brilliantly executes conceptual essays in creative ways. As an artist, she can create a variety of illustrations that all reflect her own style yet are anything but repetitive; some have a watercolor wildness while others are more graphic and still.

As a colleague, Abigail is fast, meets deadlines without fail, always willing to re-work something and highly flexible. I can’t recommend her highly enough. 

— K.J. Dell'Antonia Editor and Lead Blogger, The Parenting Blog at The New York Times

Illustrating written work is tricky — it’s creating art that serves another piece of art. I found myself repeatedly referencing the beautiful work Abigail Gray Swartz is doing as the current artist-in-residence for the New York Times Motherlode column. She’s really been nailing it lately.

— Mary Laura Philpott, Author of "Penguins with People Problems"

Abigail Gray Swartz, is the artist of GrayDayStudio. Her Grandmother's maiden name and the artist's love of rainy wet gray days is the inspiration behind her Atelier.

Abigail is a fine artist and freelance illustrator. Her clients include The New Yorker, The NY Times, Lenny Letter, and Taproot Magazine. Abigail recently painted the cover of the Women's March for The New Yorker.

This year, Abigail is also illustrating and writing several children's books. In addition to publishing goals, Abigail also dreams of one day curating a children's museum composed of artist installations; a place of magic, and of wonder.

Abigail is a mother and an activist in her community. She and her neighbors are working together to support and improve the safety and quality of life for new refugees, and finding ways to support the local LGBTQ community, and Black Lives Matter. Abigail uses her artistic voice to translate the messages of these rallies and community meetings into a visual image. Originally from New Jersey and Delaware, Abigail now lives and works in Maine with her husband, their two children, pups, and give or take some chickens.

For commission projects such as portraits and illustration work, use the contact page on this site to get in touch. For ready to ship artwork, as well as cards and totes, please visit her shop GrayDayShop. And follow Abigail on Instagram for studio sneak peaks.

Education:

Abigail earned her BFA in 2004. Following undergrad, in the fall of 2004 Abigail took classes at The Art Student's League of New York. And shortly there after, she completed a year of PAFA's certificate program, before moving on to their MFA program. Abigail earned her MFA from The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2008.

Awards:

“Best News and Politics” Cover Winner: The American Society of Magazine Editors, The New Yorker for “The March,” February 6

“Peonies and Roses”
is a wonderful lush oil painting of a collection of both Peonies and Roses, so bright and fresh you can almost smell them.
Painted in oil, on a panel with quick and intentional brush strokes.
Painting measures: 24x24" square and 1.5" thick.
Ready to hang, with picture wire on the back. * Note! This is a preorder- the painting will ship in 2 weeks providing that it’s dry for packing. 🤘✨🔥 ✨
All work is signed by me, Abigail Gray Swartz and will be packaged in a sturdy box carefully wrapped for safe shipping. #oilpainting #painting #art #artwork #fineart #floral #florals #floralart #maine #maineart #maineartist #botanical #botanicalart #botanicalartwork #peonies #roses #rosepainting #peonypainting #abigailgrayswartz #graydaystudio #igart #igartist #igoilpainting

“Spread kindness as far as you can!” By Abigail Gray Swartz- The 3rd of four murals for King Middle School with @sidexsidemaine The project worked with the students about mindfulness and safety- what makes them feel safe at school? What do they want to see more of at school? 🔹 The students made collages, spoke about their favorite quotes and inspiring phrases to favorite imagery from glasses to megaphones and nature. Mural measures 4x8 ft and will be hung in one of the girls bathrooms🔹 A big thank you to all of those who donated toward this effort, those include; side x side through a generous funding from CabinFoundation, Painting for a Purpose, Maine Hardware, King Middle School, and Artist & Craftsman Supply. #mural #painting #portlandmaine #Maine #publicart #safety #mindfulness #abigailgrayswartz #sidexsidemaine #kingmiddleschoolmurals

A little painting of an August moment in our backyard with our chickens foraging about while everything is lush and blooming. 🌿🌱💐🐔 soaking it all up before our long winter up in these parts! 🌿 ps I’m focusing my attention on illustrating children’s books this fall!! It’s why I got into illustrating in the first place- it’s one of my goals! Send me good vibes and/or contacts! #illustration #art #artwork #chickens #garden #backyard #zinnias #backyardchickens #backyardchicken #artist #maine #maineart #maineartist #childrensbookart #childrensbookillustration #watercolor #colorpencil

“There is no reason to not do something you believe is right.” By Abigail Gray Swartz- The second of four murals for King Middle School with @sidexsidemaine The project worked with the students about mindfulness and safety- what makes them feel safe at school? What do they want to see more of at school? 🔹 The students made collages, spoke about their favorite quotes and inspiring phrases to favorite imagery from glasses to megaphones and nature. Mural measures 4x8 ft and will be hung in one of the boys bathrooms🔹 A big thank you to all of those who donated toward this effort, those include; side x side through a generous funding from CabinFoundation, Painting for a Purpose, Maine Hardware, King Middle School, and Artist & Craftsman Supply. #mural #painting #portlandmaine #Maine #publicart #safety #mindfulness #abigailgrayswartz #sidexsidemaine #kingmiddleschoolmurals